996016 Immigration and Gender: Theory, Methods, and Analysis (S) (SoSe 2018)

Why and how is immigration gendered? How do sociologists study the interplay of gender and immigration? This seminar introduces gender scholarship in the sociology of immigration. We start with theoretical discussions on immigration and gender, followed by reading sample empirical studies on the topic. Since studies of immigration and gender largely employ qualitative research methods, we will learn about qualitative interviewing and ethnographic methods in immigration research. We will discuss various techniques and reflexive thinking in the processes of data collection and analysis. Finally, we conclude the course by deliberating how immigration is not only gendered but also raced and classed.

Day 1 (June 19): Theory and empirical studies—Gendering the immigration literature

Session 1: 10am-11:45am Immigration and Gender: Why and How?

Pessar Patricia R. and Sarah J. Mahler. 2003. Transnational Migration: Bringing Gender In. International Migration Review 37(3): 812-846.

Gu, Chien-Juh. 2015. The Gendering of Immigration Studies in the United States. Advances in Gender Research 20: 269-289.

Session 2: 1pm-2:30pm Empirical studies: Gender and immigrant laborers

Abdi, Cawo M. 2014. Threatened Identities and Gendered Opportunities: Somali Migration to America. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 39(2): 459: 483.

Baker, Phyllis L. 2004. “It is the Only Way I can Survive”: Gender Paradox among Recent Mexicana Immigrants to Iowa. Sociological Perspectives 47: 393-408.

Session 3: 3pm-4:30pm Empirical studies: Gender and middle-class immigrants

Espiritu, Yen Le. 2002. Filipino Navy Stewards and Filipina Health Care Professionals: Immigration, Work and Family Relations. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal 11: 46-66.

Yasuike, Akiko. 2011. Economic Opportunities and the Division of Labor among Japanese Immigrant Couples in Southern California. Sociological Inquiry 81(3): 353-376.

Day 2 (June 20): Methods and Analysis—Qualitative Approaches for Studying Immigrants and Refugees

Session 4: 10am-11:30am Qualitative interviewing and ethnography in immigration research

Gu, Chien-Juh. Forthcoming (2018). Interviewing Immigrants and Refugees: Reflexive
Engagement with Research Subjects. In: Steven J. Gold and Stephanie J. Nawyn (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Migration Studies (2nd edition). New York: Routledge.

Fernandez-Kelly, Patricia. 2013. Making Sense of the Other: Ethnographic Methods and Immigration Research. In: Steven J. Gold and Stephanie J. Nawyn (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Migration Studies (1st edition), pp 494-505. New York: Routledge.

Session 5: 12:30-1:30pm Analyzing interview data

Gu, Chien-Juh. 2014. Contextualizing Vocabularies of Motive in International Migration: The Case of Taiwanese in the United States. International Migration 52(2): 158-177.

Session 6: 2pm-3pm Beyond Gender: Intersectional analysis in immigration research

Smith, Rebecca A. and Susan E. Mannon. 2009. ‘Nibbling on the Margins of Patriarchy’: Latina Immigrants in Northern Utah. Ethnic and Racial Studies 33(6): 985-1005.

4pm Book talk: “The Resilient Self: Gender, Immigration, and Taiwanese Americans” (2018. Rutgers University Press) at the Global Migration as the New Social Question Colloquium, held by the Sociology of Transnationalization, Development and Migration. Room: X-C3-107